Risk Factors for Menstrual Disorders

by Cynthia M. Johnson, MA

A risk factor is something that raises the chances of getting a health problem. A woman can get a menstrual disorder with or without the risk factors listed below. The chances of getting a menstrual disorder are greater in women who have many risk factors.

Heavy Bleeding

Things that raise the risk of heavy bleeding are:

Obesity

Hormones in fat tissues can turn into estrogen. This can lead to heavier bleeding.

Health Problems

The risk of heavy bleeding may be higher if you have:

Fibroids
Uterine polyps
Cancer of the uterus, cervix, or vagina
Endometriosis
Bleeding disorders
Pelvic infections
Thyroid problems
Systemic lupus erythematosus
Diabetes

The risk is also higher in women who take blood thinners.

Age

Young Women

Young women may have periods that:

Are too close together
Are too far apart
Stop

These changes happen because young women are still growing.

Older Women

Periods may change leading up to menopause. The risk of heavy bleeding may also be higher in older women who still have regular periods.

Birth Control

Copper IUDs may cause heavy periods in some women. IUDs with progestin may ease bleeding.

In most women, birth control pills will lower bleeding. Women who have heavy bleeding while taking them should tell their doctors right away.

Medicines

Medicines that may raise the risk of heavy bleeding are:

Blood thinners
Anti-inflammatory medicine
Cancer drugs

Lack of Periods

Too Much Exercise

Regular intense exercise may stop periods. It can happen in athletes or those with compulsive exercising.

Eating Disorders

Eating disorders can cause low body fat, rapid weight loss, and hormonal problems. They can all cause period changes.

Stress

Stress can cause hormone changes that may slow or stop signals to start periods. When stress is eased, periods often return.

Health Problems

Health problems related to amenorrhea are:

Ovaries that do not release an egg each month
Polycystic ovary syndrome
Hypothyroidism
Pituitary tumors (nonmalignant)
Pituitary insufficiency
Turner syndrome
Cushing disease
Asherman syndrome
High levels of the hormone androgen
Imperforate hymen
Lack of a vagina or womb
Radiation therapy
Chemotherapy
Long-term health problems

Stopping a Birth Control Method

A period may not start right after birth control pills are stopped or an IUD is removed. It may take many months to start again.

References

Abnormal uterine bleeding. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/approach-to/abnormal-uterine-bleeding. Updated October 10, 2019. Accessed November 14, 2019.

Amenorrhea. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/amenorrhea. Updated January 16, 2018. Accessed November 14, 2019.

Bleeding Disorders in Women. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/blooddisorders/women/index.html. Updated April 25, 2018. Accessed November 14, 2019.

Klein DA, Poth MA. Amenorrhea: an approach to diagnosis and management. Am Fam Physician. 2013 Jun 1;87(11):781-788.

Last reviewed September 2019 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Elliot M. Levine, MD, FACOG
Last Updated: 11/20/2020

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